London: Universities in England have emerged as the most expensive anywhere in the world, charging on an average 9,000 pounds a year, according to a new study.

The amount is two times more than institutions in Australia and about six times more than the fees paid in Switzerland and Italy, the study by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said.

The next highest is the US, with fees of about 5,300 pounds followed by Japan on about 3,300 pounds, claimed the Paris-based organisation which comprises 34 mainly developed countries.

In its report, the OECD said: "As part of a plan to stabilise university finances, tuition fees in England sharply increased in 2012. In parallel, student loan-repayment conditions were improved in order to accommodate the increase in tuition fees.

"As a result, since 1995 the United Kingdom has moved from a system marked by low tuition fees and underdeveloped student-support systems to one that includes high tuition fees and significant public support to students."

The report makes a specific reference to universities in England, and not all of the United Kingdom, fall into this expensive category as Scotland does not have the same high levels of tuition fees.

Other findings within the 2015 edition of the OECD's annual 'Education at a Glance' report include that teachers' starting salaries in England and Scotland are below average and among the lowest in Europe.

Much of this is offset, however, by bonuses and allowances, which tend to boost salaries above the OECD average.